Clock-key.



No. 722,290. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

0. O. EGGERS.

CLOCK KEY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

0/10 6. Eyyerd -v UNrrnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

OTTO C. EGGERS, OF ATLANTIC, IOWA.

CLOCK-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,290, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed June 5, 1902. Serial No. 110,347. (No model.)

To (til Mill/07771 it may concern:

Be it known that I, Or'ro O. EGGERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlantic, in the county of Cass and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clock-Keys; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to clock-keys.

The object of the invention is to provide a key for winding a clock which shall be simple of construction, durable in use, comparatively inexpensive of production, and which will permit of the winding of the oppositelycoiled clock-springs by making complete rotations of the key or by making partial rotations, as may be desired.

lVith this object in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts,which will be fully described, and particularly point ed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front side elevation. Fig. 2 is a back side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, and Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the socket-stem.

' Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes the socket-stem, which is adapted to engage the winding-post of a clockwork mechanism and has its outer end preferably squared, as shown at 2.

3 and 4: denote two ratchet-wheels having holes 5 to fit the squared end of the socketstem and having their teeth projecting in opposite directions, as shown.

6 denotes a handle loosely pivoted upon the outer end of the stem between the ratchetwheels, and 7 denotes a washer placed upon said stem, and 8 a pin passed through ahole in the stem for the purpose of locking the ratchet-wheels, handle, and washer to the stem.

9 denotes a double ratchet-that is to say, a ratchet having two engaging toes 10 and 11. This ratchet is pivoted by a bolt 12 to the handle and is actuated by a spring 13, having one end fixed to the handle and the other end engaginga stud 14, secured to the ratchet.

The toe 10 projects across the upper edge of the handle and engages the ratchetwheel 4, while the toe 11 engages the ratchet-wheel 3.

When the ratchet is rocked so that its too 10 engages the ratchet-wheel 4, the operation of the device is as follows: The socket-stein is engaged with the winding-post and is worked up and down, the toe 10 on the downward movement of the handle sliding freely over the ratchet 4 and on its upward movement rotating the ratchet and with it the socket-stem. This permits of the winding of the clock with short strokes of the handle by moving the handle up and down; but, if desired, by turning the handle completely around the clock may be wound by a continuous rotary movement of said handle. To wind up a reverselyarranged spring, the ratchet is rocked to bring its toe 11 into ongagement with the ratchet 3, and the handle may be rocked in the manner as hereinbefore described, either in halt-strokes or in complete rotations. It will be noted that either of the toes 10 or 11 of the ratchet will be held in engagement with its respective ratchetwheel by the spring 13, which is deflected intermediate its ends, so as to hold the pin 14: in the deflected portion when the toe 11 is engaged with its ratchet-wheel 3 and to engage with its free end said pin and hold the toe 10 in engagement with its ratchet-wheel t. It will thus be seen that I have produced a clock-key adapted to wind up two springs usually employed in a clock and which must be wound in opposite directions, said key being capable of use in winding the springs by making complete revolutions of the handle or reciprocating the handle in partial revolutions.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood without requiring an extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion,

and details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patengaged with either of the ratchet-Wheels at ent, iswill, substantially as described.

A clock-key comprising a stem having a In testimony whereof I have hereunto set socket at one end, a pair of ratchet-wheels I my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 5 having reversely-directed teeth, removably I nesses.

secured to the opposite end of the stem and non-revoluble thereon, a handle detachably pivoted on the stem between said ratchet- Witnesses:

wheels, and a spring-pressed double-ended H. M. BOORMAN, :o pawl pivoted to the handle and adapted to be I J. R. EGGERS.

OTTO C. EGGERS. 

